Meiko bosses cheer landmark that leaves it in the minority

Meiko has described its pride at reaching 90 years in business – a feat that it claims puts it among just a few percent of companies.

The Germany-based warewashing manufacturer celebrates the landmark this year and, according to CEO Dr Stefan Scheringer, its longevity is a huge achievement.

“The average age of a German company is 18 years according to the Creditreform index. Only 1.5% of German companies still in operation are over 100-years-old. That means Meiko must have been doing something right since 1927,” he said.

Mr Scheringer is only the company’s eighth CEO, and he said: “That shows that Meiko is a company which is deeply rooted in its values. We are driven by innovation and yet also sustained by our reliability and by our conservatism, in the best sense of the word. First and foremost, that means that we offer our employees, as well as our customers, stability, identity, safety and security.”

Oskar Meier and Franz Konrad started the business in Offenburg in 1927 when they spotted an opportunity to develop high-end warewashing machines. The pair set out to create a company driven by ideas and constructed its DNA to reflect their own – encompassing prudence and ambition to gain the upper hand but without a desire to run risks.

“One single decision can sometimes make the difference between a company collapsing or surviving for decades,” said Scheringer. “The risk takers don’t survive structural changes, economic crises and world wars. Those who do are the kind who concentrate on enhancing their own performance day after day, incrementally, unspectacularly but continuously working on improvements.”

He cited products such as the Mi-Q, which cut 40% of running costs in one fell swoop, and the M-iClean H system, which completely rethought the structure of a hood type dishwashing machine with automated systems, as examples of technology innovation that have helped drive the business.

Meiko UK’s managing director, Paul Anderson, added: “Technically, Meiko leads the warewashing market with many of the innovations we take for granted today. But more importantly, Meiko has always set the highest standards for the delivery of its customer service and technical services support.

“Meiko forms a significant part of the history of commercial warewashing and the company’s story shows how it successfully brings together its long history and a dominating position in the market place.”